Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 5, 2025
11:54
Microfluidic Platform with Multiplexed Electronic Detection for Spatial Tracking of Particles
Published on: March 13, 2017
9.4K
A customizable, low-power, wireless, embedded sensing platform for resistive nanoscale sensors
Stefan Nedelcu1, Kishan Thodkar1, Christofer Hierold1
1Micro- and Nanosystems, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Tannenstrasse 3, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland.
Microsystems & Nanoengineering
|January 28, 2022
Summary
This study presents a customizable, portable wireless platform for nanoscale sensors, enhancing IoT applications. It offers high-resolution current and voltage measurements, adaptable settings, and low power consumption for environmental monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
- Electronics and Electrical Engineering
- Environmental Science and Engineering
Background:
- High-sensitivity nanoscale sensors require advanced platforms for accurate spatiotemporal measurements.
- Expanding the Internet of Things (IoT) for environmental and lifestyle applications necessitates portable, wireless data acquisition systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize a customizable, portable, battery-operated, wireless platform for interfacing high-sensitivity nanoscale sensors.
- To demonstrate the platform's capability for precise current and voltage measurements with dynamic configuration options.
Main Methods:
- The platform utilizes a Finite State Machine (FSM) for system control, enabling dynamic adjustments to nanosensor bias, measurement parameters, and data handling.
- It features a 20-bit resolution current acquisition system (1.5 nA to 7.2 µA) and a programmable bipolar voltage source (-10 V to +5 V).
- Data logging to an SD card and wireless transmission via Bluetooth low energy (BLE) are integrated.
Main Results:
- The platform achieves a variable sampling rate up to 3.125 kSPS and a voltage resolution of 3.65 mV.
- Average power consumption is 64.5 mW, including BLE transmission.
- Demonstrated state-of-the-art performance with a carbon nanotube (CNT) nanosensor for NO2 detection, achieving a limit of detection (LOD) of 23 ppb.
Conclusions:
- The developed wireless platform offers high versatility and low power consumption, suitable for various resistive nanosensors (e.g., nanowires, graphene, 2D materials).
- Its customizable features and robust performance make it ideal for diverse IoT-based sensing applications, particularly in environmental monitoring.
